Faith Through the Journey

On that memorable Sunday afternoon in May as we prayed on the steps of the Supreme Court (something which sadly cannot now take place), we also prayed for the preservation of the First Amendment to the Constitution, specifically regarding freedom of religion and freedom of expression. The Supreme Court has ruled 6-3 that a football coach is allowed to pray privately on the field after a game; his right to exercise his freedom of religion and expression is indeed protected by our Constitution.

With the opinions being rendered by the Court seeming to uphold specifically enumerated constitutional rights, and correcting former rulings where “rights” were “found” that never truly existed, there is reason to hope for those who value the Constitution on which our country was founded. The justices who have deliberated the cases presented and rendered their opinions based on their understanding of and loyalty to the Constitution have been both praised and vilified depending on the opinion of the citizens involved. Sadly, those who have disagreed reacted with vitriol and anger, even violence. The Bible talks about “the acts of the sinful nature being obvious: hatred, discord, fits of rage…”(Ephesians 5:19, 20). Contrast this with the fruits of the Holy Spirit which include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and goodness.

There is no doubt that the United States is in a very bad way because of the sin that is embraced and endorsed by leaders, celebrities, and even educators who view parents as the enemy. The source of these is not hard to find as his tactics are spelled out in John 10: the thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill and destroy. Follow the hate and destruction, and you will find the enemy of our souls doing everything in his power to take as many people down with him as he can. His days are growing short and he is getting more desperate, so his attacks are ramping up. There is, however, one Judge before whom all people will stand one day and His is the only opinion that matters. The one question He will ask everyone is what we have done with His Son, Jesus Christ, and the answer will determine where we spend eternity.

But, there is hope….”Yet I call this to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him (Lamentations 3:21-23).